D&D (2024) How should the Warlord be implemented in 1DnD?

[James Gasik]

In this case you could use it on the Rogue who might get 2 attacks on a target and might still miss both! OR on the Wizard who could unload a Fireball on 6 enemies. Why would you ever Bolster anybody but the casters? How often do you get to Bolster and what do you balance it against? The Rogue’s minor action attack or the Caster’s highest level spell?

Uh...but it affects all allies who can hear you so why am I choosing between the Rogue and casters?

 

[Undrave]

Uh...but it affects all allies who can hear you so why am I choosing between the Rogue and casters?

Oh, I misread that it was only one ally… But it doesn’t solve the issue of the VALUE of the action. Is Bolstering Shout an at-will? Is it a number of times per short rest? Per long rest? How do you calculate what’s a good number of uses of this when nobody’s got the same resources? Is a Warlord more precious to a party with a Wizard and a Paladin than a Sorcerer and a Fighter?

Also, when do you roll the +1d4 on the saving throw? Is it one per target or all the same value?

 

[Uni-the-Unicorn!]

Aura of Vitality 20d6 healing in 1 minute.
Healing Spirit cast at 3rd level with max spellcaster stat heals 14d6 in 1 minute or less (more with higher level slot),
Heal spell 70hp healing in 6 seconds.

You know, spells healers have.

The question is who is doing that without magic? We want a magicless warlord

 

[James Gasik]

Oh, I misread that it was only one ally… But it doesn’t solve the issue of the VALUE of the action. Is Bolstering Shout an at-will? Is it a number of times per short rest? Per long rest? How do you calculate what’s a good number of uses of this when nobody’s got the same resources? Is a Warlord more precious to a party with a Wizard and a Paladin than a Sorcerer and a Fighter?

Also, when do you roll the +1d4 on the saving throw? Is it one per target or all the same value?

I could see it as an at-will if it lasts for 1 turn, taking up the all important bonus action. More conservatively, proficiency bonus/short rest. It's better than Bless, which takes up a spell slot and uses concentration, but leaves your bonus action free.

That having been said, I don't see Bless used often because it takes up concentration, so I don't really see the two powers as competing. As written, it applies to all attacks and all save DC's, rolled when you make an attack or someone is forced to make a saving throw; since almost anything you'd be doing in combat is either an attack or a saving throw I see the ability as equal in value to all classes since who doesn't want more accuracy?

 

[Mistwell]

Higher level characters need to do higher levels of healing regardless of class or source so as to remain effective and worthwhile. Saying a martial class should do less is a big part of the problem burdened upon them by card carrying members of the SSS.

They should not do less healing. It just should be magical healing if it's going to heal that many hit points in a short period of time. That's my point. Healing a LOT of damage relatively quickly should be magical. Healing a little damage doesn't need to be magical. Temporary hit points doesn't need to be magical. Healing a lot of damage over an hour or so doesn't need to be magical. But healing a lot of damage in a minute or less should be magical because it breaks verisimilitude.

I don't think this is a weird position. It was a widely mentioned position during 4e. A major criticism of the Warlord.

 

[Mistwell]

Yes. I guess I wasn't clear. I meant WITHOUT MAGIC, which is what I thought was being discussed.

I guess I wasn't clear then. I am saying the Warlord should NOT heal a lot of damage, like those spells do, in a minute or less unless it's magical healing they are doing. You asked who is healing a lot in a minute or less and I answered - spellcasters using those spells. That's my point.

 

[Vaalingrade]

Warlord should get a short rest ability that just straight heals one person back to full. No numbers, just a couple of band-aids and a peptalk.

Karate chop meat points right in the throat.

 

[Mistwell]

The question is who is doing that without magic? We want a magicless warlord

Nobody, in my opinion. I don't think Warlords should heal a lot of damage in a minute or less, without magic. I would however be fine with them giving temporary hit points. Maybe even a lot of temporary hit points.

 

[Yaarel]

Warlord should get a short rest ability that just straight heals one person back to full. No numbers, just a couple of band-aids and a peptalk.

Karate chop meat points right in the throat.

According to 5e rules.

The damage while fresh, before becoming bloodied, is strictly nonphysical damage: namely fatigue, distraction, luck running out, etcetera.

But when damage reaches half the total hit points, in other words bloodied, then damage includes superficial physical damage, the kind that leaves bruises, requires bandages, and so on. Only at zero hit points, is the character downed, with catastrophic, possibly life-threatening damage.

I feel more DMs should make a point to play these injuries up. For example, if a character did get bloodied during a fight, then the next day when the characters go to see the mayor, the mayor is shocked and comments at the terrible black eye, "What happened?", to remind the players that they are still walking around with bruises and bandages, even at full hit points. Getting bloodied leaves a mark.

When DMs understand more clearly what the rules for hit points are, then the concept of a Martial healer makes so much sense, and adds to the realism of the D&D game.

It is conceptually reasonable, even enhancing verisimilitude. If a character is still fresh and hasnt gotten bloodied, and is merely fatigued and shaken, a Martial peptalk can and should restore the character to full hit points. We see this in movies and in reallife fightsports all the time.

The only challenge is keeping gaming mechanical balance. The flavor itself is useful and helpful.

 

[Eubani]

SSS realy don't like useful Warlord do they. lol